Trenton police director says there is no threat after Boston Marathon bombings

In the wake of the bombings at the Boston Marathon that left three dead and more than 170 injured, Trenton Police Director Ralph Rivera said there is no threat to the state.

He addressed concerns Tuesday night when questioned by Council President Phyllis Holly-Ward as to what the city in doing in response.

“Right now, there is no major threat to the State of New Jersey,” Rivera responded, adding that he has been in and out of conference calls with national and state authorities after the explosions. “The last information we received there is no direct tie to any of these acts coming to New Jersey.”

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Rivera said no one from the state was injured in the blasts.

He added that state police are on alert at the state buildings and reminded residents to be under heightened vigilance.

Holly-Ward also asked Rivera about the shooting that took place on Sunday near the home of Councilwoman Kathy McBride.

“There’s been some questioning regarding the shooting on Laurel,” she said to Rivera. “I would like you to comment to explain what your findings were.”

Rivera responded that the incident is still under investigation.

“There were some allegations that were made as to whether it was a shooting or it wasn’t a shooting,” he said. “We’re still gathering some information on that.”

McBride held a press conference Monday afternoon requesting Gov. Christie to deputize additional law enforcement officials to the city after the shooting. City resident Ozzia Tift said in an interview after the press conference that a bullet grazed his shoulder as he was wrestling with the alleged gunman.

McBride also claimed that it took 20 minutes for police to respond to the scene.

“I know there were some issues with response time and things of that nature,” the police director said. “We’re looking at all those aspects of the investigation.”

Rivera asked anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

“No one should hold onto any information you have on this matter,” he said. “That will help us resolve some of the misinformation that might be out there.”

Rivera said he will have something more definitive on the case in the coming days.